More than 400 passionate members attended the annual Sydney Swans Member Recognition function held before the Swans match against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium on Saturday evening.

The function was held exclusively for members celebrating their ‘milestone years’ of 14, 20, 30 and 30-plus years of membership at the club, with a selection of 30-plus year members invited to take part in a guard of honour for the Swans’ players as they took the field.

Guests at this year’s Member Recognition function were also entertained by former Swans Rod Carter, Barry Mitchell, Craig Bolton and Dennis Carroll, as well as Lewis Roberts-Thomson, who took part in a Q&A session.

Elizabeth Clinch, who joined the club as a member in the Swans’ inaugural season in Sydney in 1982, was one of 43 lucky members who took to the field for the guard of honour.

The 31-year member said she was thrilled to attend the Member Recognition function alongside other dedicated Swans members.

“It was really good and it was good to chat to other people about your experiences,” Clinch told sydneyswans.com.au.

“It’s nice to know that the club appreciates their fans, so I think it’s really good.”

Originally from Geelong, Clinch signed up with the red and white after moving to the Harbour City in the early 80s.

Since then, the passionate Swans’ fan has enjoyed a number of highlights, including the Swans’ Grand Final win over Hawthorn at the MCG last year.

“Some of my highlights would have to be when Plugga kicked that point in 1996 to get us into the Grand Final that was pretty exciting,” she said.

“Also, when we beat Geelong and Nick Davis kicked those four goals in the last quarter in the rain in 2005 that was pretty good.

“We also went to the 2006 Grand Final and that was a bit disappointing, but I went to the 2012 Grand Final and that was one of the best days of my life.”

This year’s Member Recognition function was of particular importance to Clinch, as it is likely to be her last for some time, with the keen supporter set to move to North Queensland next year.

The Swans’ member said while she wouldn’t be attending as many Swans games as she had over the last three decades, she would still be cheering on the boys from up north.

“It is my last season too – I’m moving to Proserpine, which is in North Queensland,” she said.

“I’m going to have to be an interstate member and I’m getting Foxtel so I can watch all the games.

“There isn’t much AFL there but I can educate them.”